Important Health Message if you live in the Cherokee County area

[RebelOne]

Subject: URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE: 05-09-2007
(10:09 AM)

CHEROKEE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2007 10:09 AM

**URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE**

Another raccoon in Cherokee County has tested positive for rabies and the dog that killed it cannot be located. According to Cherokee County Environmental Health officials, the raccoon was killed by a dog approximately one mile north of Conn's Creek Road on Sperin Road in Ball Ground, GA on April 27. A witness to the fight took the raccoon to Cherokee County Animal Control the next day; but unfortunately, the dog, which was bitten several times by the raccoon, has yet to be found.

Ray King, Director of Environmental Health for the North Georgia Health District, is appealing to the community for assistance.

"Since we do not know whether the dog was vaccinated against rabies, we would like to ask the help of the public in locating the dog," stated Mr. King. "The dog was described as medium sized, sex unknown, mostly white with a black back and brown around the eyes. However, this description may not be exactly accurate."

Mr. King cautioned, "We also want to warn the public of the possibility that the dog could contract rabies. There is no set period of time by which the bitten dog could become rabid; it may be days to months or more, or not at all if it was vaccinated. However, it is imperative that if you live in this area you should immediately have your dogs and cats properly vaccinated against rabies if they are not already protected.
Children should be warned not to pet or have any contact with stray dogs or cats, and to be especially mindful of wild animals behaving strangely."

Any bite from a dog, cat or wild animal should be reported to your physician at once. Bites should be washed with soap and water and rinsed for several minutes. Seek medical attention immediately and report bite to Animal Control or the county Environmental Health Office:

Cherokee County Environmental Health Office: 770-479-0444
Cherokee County Animal Control: 678-493-6200

More information about rabies and rabies prevention and treatment can be found on the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.cdc.org <http://www.cdc.org/.

J. Robby Westbrook, CEMR
Director
Emergency Operations Center

Cherokee Sheriff's Office Homeland Security - Emergency Management
498 Chattin Drive
Canton, GA 30115
Office: 678-493-4001
Fax: [phone]
Cell: 678-614-8959